Mangaluru: Mangaluru City North MLA Y Bharath Shetty on Tuesday accused the Karnataka govt of allowing a widespread “payment quota” and kickback system to operate across the state, including in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi.Addressing a press conference at the Dakshina Kannada BJP office, Shetty demanded an immediate judicial inquiry headed by a sitting judge into the alleged corruption in various govt departments.“Ministers appointed under a payment quota are collecting large sums to post corrupt officials to lucrative positions. These officers are reportedly instructed to collect monthly bribes for district ministers and departmental heads,” he alleged.Quoting Upa Lokayukta Justice B Veerappa, Shetty claimed that 63% of citizens were compelled to pay bribes to get government work done, ranging from civil projects to routine administrative services. He described the Congress-led govt as a “bribe guarantee” govt, a reference to the ruling party’s welfare guarantees.Referring to protests by the State Contractors’ Association over alleged unpaid bills amounting to Rs 37,370 crore, Shetty claimed that contractors were being forced to pay bribes at various stages, including while obtaining letters of credit, clearing bills and securing payments.He also referred to Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai’s complaint alleging that an additional 7% commission was being demanded in projects implemented through the Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Ltd (KRIDL) and the panchayat raj departments. Shetty said the allegations made by ruling-party legislators and ministers themselves indicated the extent of corruption within the administration.The BJP MLA further referred to allegations of a Rs 6,000-crore scam in the excise department, as well as the Muda controversy, and alleged irregularities in the Karnataka Public Service Commission, police transfers and online betting-related issues. He alleged that the govt had failed to take serious action against those responsible.“Suspending lower-level officials is merely an eyewash aimed at shielding senior political figures. Congress MLAs themselves have written letters alleging widespread extortion. Instead of internal COD or CID inquiries, which lead nowhere, the govt should institute a credible judicial inquiry headed by a sitting judge and hold the ministers responsible accountable,” he demanded.Asked about higher education minister Basavaraj Rayareddi’s reported remarks on Islam, Shetty said the minister had the freedom to make such statements because he was born into the Hindu religion. Referring to Rayareddi’s reported comment that he did not visit temples, Shetty said, “Let us wait until the elections. During elections, they will stand in queues outside temples.”
